U.S. patent application number 14/389044 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for cooker.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Erina Nagae, Kohji Niiyama.
Application Number | 20150068408 14/389044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50977918 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150068408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagae; Erina ; et
al. |
March 12, 2015 |
COOKER
Abstract
In a cooker according to the present invention, in order to
prevent a heating capacity from being raised rapidly against the
intention of a user, when a contactant which contacts an operating
area of a display operating portion flicks the display operating
portion, if a detected operation of the contactant such as flicking
is in the direction to raise a heating capacity, a changing amount
(a varying amount) of a heating capacity according to a moving
speed of the contactant in the operating area is limited in
comparison with the case that a detected operation of the
contactant such as flicking is in the direction to lower a heating
capacity.
Inventors: |
Nagae; Erina; (Kumamoto,
JP) ; Niiyama; Kohji; (Hyogo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Corporation |
Kadoma-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
50977918 |
Appl. No.: |
14/389044 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
November 28, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/007002 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/08 20130101; F24C
7/086 20130101; H05B 6/1209 20130101; H05B 2213/03 20130101; H05B
2213/07 20130101; H05B 6/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/332 |
International
Class: |
H05B 6/12 20060101
H05B006/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2012 |
JP |
2012-277779 |
Claims
1. A cooker comprising: a heating portion which heats an object to
be heated, a display operating portion which sets a heating
capacity corresponding to a heating power of said heating portion
and a controlled temperature, and displays a setting information,
and a control portion which controls said heating portion and said
display operating portion, wherein said control portion is
configured to determine a changing amount of the heating capacity
of said heating portion in a condition after a contactant leaves an
operating area of said display operating portion according to a
leaving time moving direction and a leaving time moving speed just
before the contactant leaves the operating area of said display
operating portion after the contactant moves keeping in contact
with the operating area of said display operating portion, and said
control portion is configured such that in the case that said
leaving time moving speed in a moving direction in which the
heating capacity is lowered and said leaving time moving speed in a
moving direction in which the heating capacity is raised are the
same, the changing amount in the moving direction in which the
heating capacity is raised is limited to being lower than the
changing amount in the moving direction in which the heating
capacity is lowered.
2. The cooker according to claim 1, wherein said control portion
applies an upper limit to the changing amount in the moving
direction in which the heating capacity is raised, and has a region
to limit such that the changing amount in the moving direction in
which the heating capacity is raised is smaller than the changing
amount in the moving direction in which the heating capacity is
lowered.
3. The cooker according to claim 1, wherein said control portion is
configured to control such that when a raised ratio of said leaving
time moving speed relative to a constant changing amount in the
direction in which the heating capacity is raised is larger than a
lowered ratio of said leaving time moving speed relative to a
constant changing amount in the direction in which the heating
capacity is lowered by an approximately constant ratio, the
changing amount to be determined in the moving direction in which
the heating capacity is raised becomes equal to the changing amount
to be determined in the moving direction in which the heating power
is lowered.
4. The cooker according to claim 1, wherein said control portion is
configured to determine whether the heating capacity is changed or
not according to a contacting position and a moving direction of
said contactant while said contactant moves keeping in contact with
the operating area of said display operating portion, and determine
the changing amount of the heating capacity according to a moving
distance of said contactant, and said control portion is configured
to determine such that the changing amount of the heating capacity
just after said contactant leaves said operating area is 0 in the
case that the heating capacity just before said contactant contacts
said operating area is not the same as the heating capacity just
before said contactant leaves said operating area, and the heating
capacity has been changed from the heating capacity just before
said contactant contacts said operating area to the heating
capacity just before said contactant leaves said operating
area.
5. The cooker according to claim 1, wherein said display operating
portion has a heating capacity setting effective area where a
heating capacity can be set by contact of said contactant, and
wherein at a condition that a position where said contactant starts
to contact said display operating portion and a position where said
contactant leaves said display operating portion are located within
said heating capacity setting effective area, a changing operation
of the heating capacity is made effective, and in the case of a
changing operation which does not fulfill said condition, a setting
of the heating capacity is returned to a status just before said
contactant starts to contact.
6. The cooker according to claim 1, wherein said display operating
portion further has a one-step down region where the heating
capacity is lowered by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step down region, and a one-step up region where a heating
capacity is raised by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step up region.
7. The cooker according to claim 2, wherein said control portion is
configured to control such that when a raised ratio of said leaving
time moving speed relative to a constant changing amount in the
direction in which the heating capacity is raised is larger than a
lowered ratio of said leaving time moving speed relative to a
constant changing amount in the direction in which the heating
capacity is lowered by an approximately constant ratio, the
changing amount to be determined in the moving direction in which
the heating capacity is raised becomes equal to the changing amount
to be determined in the moving direction in which the heating power
is lowered.
8. The cooker according to claim 2, wherein said control portion is
configured to determine whether the heating capacity is changed or
not according to a contacting position and a moving direction of
said contactant while said cotactant moves keeping in contact with
the operating area of said display operating portion, and determine
the changing amount of the heating capacity according to a moving
distance of said contactant, and said control portion is configured
to determine such that the changing amount of the heating capacity
just after said contactant leaves said operating area is 0 in the
case that the heating capacity just before said contactant contacts
said operating area is not the same as the heating capacity just
before said contactant leaves said operating area, and the heating
capacity has been changed from the heating capacity just before
said contactant contacts said operating area to the heating
capacity just before said contactant leaves said operating
area.
9. The cooker according to claim 3, wherein said control portion is
configured to determine whether the heating capacity is changed or
not according to a contacting position and a moving direction of
said contactant while said cotactant moves keeping in contact with
the operating area of said display operating portion, and determine
the changing amount of the heating capacity according to a moving
distance of said contactant, and said control portion is configured
to determine such that the changing amount of the heating capacity
just after said contactant leaves said operating area is 0 in the
case that the heating capacity just before said contactant contacts
said operating area is not the same as the heating capacity just
before said contactant leaves said operating area, and the heating
capacity has been changed from the heating capacity just before
said contactant contacts said operating area to the heating
capacity just before said contactant leaves said operating
area.
10. The cooker according to claim 2, wherein said display operating
portion has a heating capacity setting effective area where a
heating capacity can be set by contact of said contactant, and
wherein at a condition that a position where said contactant starts
to contact said display operating portion and a position where said
contactant leaves said display operating portion are located within
said heating capacity setting effective area, a changing operation
of the heating capacity is made effective, and in the case of a
changing operation which does not fulfill said condition, a setting
of the heating capacity is returned to a status just before said
contactant starts to contact.
11. The cooker according to claim 3, wherein said display operating
portion has a heating capacity setting effective area where a
heating capacity can be set by contact of said contactant, and
wherein at a condition that a position where said contactant starts
to contact said display operating portion and a position where said
contactant leaves said display operating portion are located within
said heating capacity setting effective area, a changing operation
of the heating capacity is made effective, and in the case of a
changing operation which does not fulfill said condition, a setting
of the heating capacity is returned to a status just before said
contactant starts to contact.
12. The cooker according to claim 4, wherein said display operating
portion has a heating capacity setting effective area where a
heating capacity can be set by contact of said contactant, and
wherein at a condition that a position where said contactant starts
to contact said display operating portion and a position where said
contactant leaves said display operating portion are located within
said heating capacity setting effective area, a changing operation
of the heating capacity is made effective, and in the case of a
changing operation which does not fulfill said condition, a setting
of the heating capacity is returned to a status just before said
contactant starts to contact.
13. The cooker according to claim 2, wherein said display operating
portion further has a one-step down region where the heating
capacity is lowered by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step down region, and a one-step up region where a heating
capacity is raised by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step up region.
14. The cooker according to claim 3, wherein said display operating
portion further has a one-step down region where the heating
capacity is lowered by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step down region, and a one-step up region where a heating
capacity is raised by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step up region.
15. The cooker according to claim 4, wherein said display operating
portion further has a one-step down region where the heating
capacity is lowered by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step down region, and a one-step up region where a heating
capacity is raised by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step up region.
16. The cooker according to claim 5, wherein said display operating
portion further has a one-step down region where the heating
capacity is lowered by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step down region, and a one-step up region where a heating
capacity is raised by one step when said contactant contacts the
one-step up region.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooker having a touch
panel, in particular relates to a movement of a displayed image of
the cooker.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A conventional cooker is provided with a plurality of keys
having specific functions. Various setting operations for setting a
heating power and a temperature are performed by operations such as
depressing a key, holding down a key or the like. Recently, the
number of a cooker having a touch panel is increased, and there is
a proposed configuration that an image of a cooking recipe is
changed at once or one after another by a depressing operation or a
sliding operation on the touch panel (for example, refer to Patent
Literature 1.).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication
No. 2012-37219
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] In the touch panel of the cooker, there is a case that a
setting of a heating capacity and a controlled temperature is
continuously changed by performing a sliding operation to move a
finger keeping in contact with the touch panel, or a flicking
operation to flick a finger in a direction of a surface of the
touch panel from a position where a finger is in contact with the
touch panel. A speed to be changed and a displayed numeric value to
be changed can be varied according to a moving speed of a finger.
Therefore, according to a function in which if the moving speed of
a finger becomes higher, the speed to be changed becomes higher or
the displayed numeric value to be changed varies more, a movement
of the displayed image becomes intuitive to a user. As a result, a
cooker with an easy operation, a shortened operational time and a
less operational work volume can be provided.
[0005] In the above-mentioned flicking operation, by setting such
that a changing amount becomes large even if an operational time or
an operation work volume is small, which brings a comfortable
operational feeling to a user, a setting value can be changed
quickly by an operation with a short operational time. In the
cooker, however, if such flicking operation is performed at raising
a heating capacity, there is a case such that the heating capacity
is raised at once. For example, in the case of an IH cooking heater
on which a pot or a pan is mounted and in which a setting of a
heating capacity is performed during cooking, there is a
possibility that a user contacts the touch panel by mistake during
the cooking procedure. According to the manner to contact the touch
panel, there is a possibility that by a misdetection such that the
flicking operation has been performed, the heating capacity is
raised close to a maximum value of the heating capacity rapidly
against the intention of the user. Accordingly, the conventional
cooker has a problem to cause a rapid boiling or a rapid rise of a
temperature, in some cases, and thereby imparting uneasiness to a
user.
Solution to Problem
[0006] A cooker according to the present invention, for solving the
above-mentioned problem, comprises a heating portion which heats an
object to be heated, a display operating portion which sets a
heating capacity corresponding to a heating power of said heating
portion and a controlled temperature, and displays a setting
information, and a control portion which controls said heating
portion and said display operating portion, wherein said control
portion is configured to determine a changing amount of the heating
capacity of said heating portion in a condition after a contactant
leaves an operating area of said display operating portion
according to a leaving time moving direction and a leaving time
moving speed just before the contactant leaves the operating area
of said display operating portion after the contactant moves
keeping in contact with the operating area of said display
operating portion, and said control portion is configured such that
in the case that said leaving time moving speed in a moving
direction in which the heating capacity is lowered and said leaving
time moving speed in a moving direction in which the heating
capacity is raised are the same, the changing amount in the moving
direction in which the heating capacity is raised is limited to
being lower than the changing amount in the moving direction in
which the heating capacity is lowered within at least a set extent.
In the cooker according to the present invention as configured in
the above-mentioned manner, even if the display operating portion
detects an operation in the direction in which the heating capacity
is raised, it can prevent a heating power from being raised at once
against the intention of a user.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the cooker of the present invention, even if a
user contacts a display operating portion of the cooker
unexpectedly, which causes an operation to be the same as the
operation in the direction in which a heating capacity is raised in
the display operating portion, there is no risk such that the
heating capacity is raised at once against the intention of the
user. Therefore, it becomes a device with high reliability which
does not impart uneasiness to the user, and in which a sense of
security and a safety when using the cooker is enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a general configuration of a
cooker according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an outline
configuration of the cooker according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0010] FIGS. 3(a) through 3(h) are views illustrating a variety of
examples of a display operating portion in the cooker according to
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart at setting a heating power in the
cooker according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIGS. 5(a) through 5(c) are views illustrating examples of a
movement of a displayed image at setting the heating power in the
cooker according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow chart to determine a changing amount at
setting the heating power in the cooker according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A cooker according to a first aspect of the present
invention comprises: a heating portion which heats an object to be
heated, a display operating portion which sets a heating capacity
corresponding to a heating power of said heating portion and a
controlled temperature, and displays a setting information, and a
control portion which controls said heating portion and said
display operating portion, wherein said control portion is
configured to determine a changing amount of the heating capacity
of said heating portion in a condition after a contactant leaves an
operating area of said display operating portion according to a
leaving time moving direction and a leaving time moving speed just
before the contactant leaves the operating area of said display
operating portion after the contactant moves keeping in contact
with the operating area of said display operating portion, and said
control portion is configured such that in the case that said
leaving time moving speed in a moving direction in which the
heating capacity is lowered and said leaving time moving speed in a
moving direction in which the heating capacity is raised are the
same, the changing amount in the moving direction in which the
heating capacity is raised is limited to being lower than the
changing amount in the moving direction in which the heating
capacity is lowered.
[0015] In the cooker according to the first aspect of the present
invention, when a heating capacity is raised by a flicking
operation such that a finger as a contactant or another contactant
flicks the operating area of the display operating portion, there
is a limitation such that the heating capacity is not raised at
once. Accordingly, even if a user contacts the display operating
portion and performs an operation to be similar to the flicking
operation by mistake, the cooker according to the first aspect of
the present invention can prevent the situation that a heating
capacity is raised at once against the intention of a user from
being induced. Therefore, a cooker, which does not impart
uneasiness to the user and in which a feeling of security and a
safety are enhanced, can be provided.
[0016] Further, in the cooker according to the first aspect of the
present invention, when a heating capacity is lowered by a flicking
operation such that a finger or another contactant flicks the
operating area of the display operating portion, since the
operation to lower the heating capacity at once is not limited, it
can comply with a demand of a user to lower the heating capacity at
once when water is boiled over or scorching occurs. Accordingly, in
the cooker according to the first aspect of the present invention,
the heating capacity can be lowered to a large extent quickly by a
single operation of the flicking operation. Therefore, the cooker
does not impart uneasiness to a user, and a feeling of security and
a safety are enhanced.
[0017] In the cooker according to a second aspect of the present
invention, particularly said control portion according to said
first aspect of the present invention can be configured to apply an
upper limit to the changing amount in the moving direction in which
the heating capacity is raised, and have a region to limit such
that the changing amount in the moving direction in which the
heating capacity is raised is smaller than the changing amount in
the moving direction in which the heating capacity is lowered.
[0018] The cooker according to the second aspect of the present
invention as configured in the above-mentioned manner can be
applied as a specific method to limit such that the heating
capacity is not raised at once when the heating capacity is raised
by a flicking operation such that a finger as a contactant or
another contactant flicks the operating area of the display
operating portion. Consequently, the cooker according to the second
aspect of the present invention can surely limit the maximum raised
amount of the heating capacity by a single flicking operation.
[0019] In the cooker according to a third aspect of the present
invention, particularly said control portion in said first or
second aspect of the present invention is configured to control
such that when a raised ratio of said leaving time moving speed
relative to a constant changing amount in the direction in which
the heating capacity is raised is larger than a lowered ratio of
said leaving time moving speed relative to a constant changing
amount in the direction in which the heating capacity is lowered by
an approximately constant ratio, the changing amount to be
determined in the moving direction in which the heating capacity is
raised becomes equal to the changing amount to be determined in the
moving direction in which the heating power is lowered.
[0020] According to the cooker according to the third aspect of the
present invention as configured in the above-mentioned manner, it
is possible to change a degree of easiness for changing according
to the moving speed when a heating capacity is raised and according
to the moving speed when a heating capacity is lowered. The cooker
according to the third aspect of the present invention can provide
easiness to lower a heating capacity, and give an impression of
difficulty to raise a heating capacity to a user. Consequently, in
the cooker according to the third aspect of the present invention,
in the case that a user has a clear intention to raise a heating
capacity, a changing amount (a varying amount) can be made large by
increasing a moving speed of the contactant. Accordingly, an amount
to raise a heating capacity can be made large according to a user's
intention without imparting uneasiness to the user.
[0021] In the cooker according to a fourth aspect of the present
invention, particularly said control portion in any one of said
first to third aspects of the present invention is configured to
determine whether the heating capacity is changed or not according
to a contacting position and a moving direction of said contactant
while said contactant moves keeping in contact with the operating
area of said display operating portion, and determine the changing
amount of the heating capacity according to a moving distance of
said contactant, and said control portion is configured to
determine such that the changing amount of the heating capacity
just after said contactant leaves said operating area is 0 in the
case that the heating capacity just before said contactant contacts
said operating area is not the same as the heating capacity just
before said contactant leaves said operating area, and the heating
capacity has been changed from the heating capacity just before
said contactant contacts said operating area to the heating
capacity just before said contactant leaves said operating
area.
[0022] In the cooker according to the fourth aspect of the present
invention as configured in the above-mentioned manner, when a
sliding operation such that a finger or another contactant moves
keeping in contact with the operating area of the display operating
portion is performed, a changing amount of the heating capacity is
determined according to the moving distance in the direction in
which a heating capacity is raised or in the direction in which a
heating capacity is lowered, and a heating capacity can be raised
or lowered by a plurality of steps continuously by the sliding
operation without doing the flicking operation. Further, in the
case that the flicking operation is performed successfully from the
sliding operation to change the heating capacity, a changing
process of the heating capacity just after the contactant leaves
the operating area of the display operating portion is not
performed, and only a setting change by the sliding operation is
performed, and thereby providing a feeling of a stable operation.
Consequently, in the cooker according to the fourth aspect of the
present invention, a user can select any one of the sliding
operation with a feeling of a stable operation and the flicking
operation with a feeling of a quick and easy operation by an action
of the user at the operation.
[0023] In the cooker according to a fifth aspect of the present
invention, particularly in any one of said first to fourth aspects
of the present invention, it can be configured such that said
display operating portion has a heating capacity setting effective
area where a heating capacity can be set by contact of said
contactant, and wherein at a condition that a position where said
contactant starts to contact said display operating portion and a
position where said contactant leaves said display operating
portion are located within said heating capacity setting effective
area, a changing operation of the heating capacity is made
effective, and in the case of a changing operation which does not
fulfill said condition, a setting of the heating capacity is
returned to a status just before said contactant starts to
contact.
[0024] In the cooker according to the fifth aspect of the present
invention as configured in the above-mentioned manner, it can limit
a range to set a heating capacity, and therefore even if a user
wipe the display operating portion with a piece of cloth, or a pot
or a pan is slipped on a top surface of the display operating
portion, it can reduce a possibility to change a heating capacity
due to the misdetection such that the flicking operation or the
sliding operation has been performed. Consequently, the cooker
according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can provide
a user with a feeling of security and can become a device in which
a safety is further be enhanced.
[0025] In the cooker according to a sixth aspect of the present
invention, particularly in any one of said first to fifth aspects
of the present invention, said display operating portion further
has a one-step down region where the heating capacity is lowered by
one step when said contactant contacts the one-step down region,
and a one-step up region where a heating capacity is raised by one
step said contactant contacts the one-step up region.
[0026] The cooker according to the sixth aspect of the present
invention as configured in the above-mentioned manner is configured
such that a user can select any one of the following methods; the
method to change a heating capacity by the sliding operation such
that a finger or another contactant moves keeping in contact with
the operating area of the display operating portion, the method to
change a heating capacity by the flicking operation such as
flicking the operating area, and the method to change a heating
capacity by contacting the specific region of the display operating
portion. Consequently, for a user who is used to changing a setting
value step by step by the ordinary key operation, and is not good
at the operation to slide or flick the operating area of the
display operating portion, alternatives of the operating method can
be increased, and the user can select a method to be suitable to
the user, and thereby achieving to provide the operating methods in
which every user can operate easily.
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of a cooker according to the
present invention will be described, with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The configurations of cookers will not be
limited to the configurations according to the following
embodiment(s) and also includes cookers based on technical concepts
similar to the following embodiment(s).
First Embodiment
[0028] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a general configuration of a
cooker according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] In FIG. 1, a top plate 1 is placed on a top surface of a
main body which forms an outer shell which is not illustrated. A
heating portion 3 which heats an object to be heated such as a pot
or a pan mounted on the top plate 1 is placed on an undersurface of
the top plate 1 in the main body. The heating portion 3 is
configured to include an induction heating coil 3a and a driving
circuit 3b, and has a system for inductively heating the object to
be heated.
[0030] In the cooker according to the first embodiment, a touch
panel 4 which is a display operating portion is placed on a top
surface of the top plate 1 or a side surface of a housing of the
main body. According to an operation of a user, an operational
signal relating to a selected menu, a heating start, a heating stop
or the like is formed and transmitted to a control portion 5. The
control portion 5 receives the operational signal from the touch
panel 4, and controls the heating portion 3 according to the
received operational signal.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the cooker
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, in the cooker according to the first
embodiment, the top plate 1 has a plurality of heating areas H
(areas indicated by a circle shape in dotted lines), and the
induction heating coil 3a is placed as facing each other under each
heating area H. The cooker according to the first embodiment is
configured such that a position or a size of the object to be
heated mounted on the top plate 1 is detected at certain intervals,
and the heating portion 3 according to the detected position or
detected size is driven. The touch panel 4 as the display operating
portion is placed in a front side (a user's side) of the top
surface of the top plate 1. The touch panel 4 is configured such
that a display device 4b such as a liquid crystal panel and a
position inputting device 4a of a resistive film type, or an
electrostatic capacity type are combined as placing one on
another.
[0032] Views of FIGS. 3(a) to (h) are those illustrating a variety
of examples of the touch panel (the display operating portion) of
the cooker according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] The touch panel 4 as illustrated in FIG. 3(a) shows an
example where three information 11, 12 and 13 of the objects to be
heated which indicate a size and a position of the object 2 to be
heated mounted on the top plate 1. The size and the position of the
information 11, 12 and 13 of the objects to be heated, which are
displayed on the touch panel 4, indicate the size of the object 2
to be heated and the corresponding position of the object 2 to be
heated mounted on the top plate 1. The information 11, 12 and 13 of
the objects to be heated is based on the detected information of
the objects to be heated, which is detected by each of the heating
portion 3.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), when a user selects the
information of the object to be heated corresponding to the object
2 to be heated, which the user would like to heat such as the
information 13 of the object to be heated in the information 11, 12
and 13 of the objects to be heated, which are displayed on the
touch panel 4, and depresses a displayed frame of the information
13 of the object to be heated to be selected, a menu 14 is
displayed on the lower part of the displaying surface of the touch
panel 4. The menu 14 displayed on the touch panel 4 includes a
heating cooking switch 15 which starts a heating cooking menu, and
a temperature cooking switch 16 which starts a temperature cooking
menu.
[0035] The heating cooking switch 15 is configured to start the
heating cooking menu for setting a heating power so as to heat the
object according to the set heating power. The temperature cooking
switch 16 is configured to start the temperature cooking menu for
setting a temperature so as to heat the object with the adjusted
temperature. Accordingly, a user can selects either of the heating
cooking switch 15 or the temperature cooking switch 16 in the menu
14 displayed on the lower part of the displaying surface of the
touch panel 4.
[0036] For example, when a user selects the heating cooking switch
15 and depresses the heating cooking switch 15, the heating cooking
menu starts and a heating power value which should be set is
displayed on the lower part of the displaying surface as
illustrated in FIG. 3(c). At this moment, only the displayed frame
of the information 13 of the object 2 to be heated, which is
selected, changes from a square white frame to a filled square
shape. In addition, a setting value 17 of the heating power value
and the heating stop button 18 are displayed in the square
displayed frame of the object 2 to be heated, which is selected. As
mentioned above, relating to a display of the information 11, 12 or
13 of the object to be heated; only a square white frame which is
not filled is displayed when an object to be heated is detected to
be mounted on the top plate 1. Then, when a user selects from the
information of the object to be heated which is displayed, and
heating process for the object to be heated which is selected
starts, the displayed frame is shown with a filled square
shape.
[0037] The cooker according to the first embodiment is configured
such that in the heating power setting, it can be changed stepwise
to a plurality of heating power values such as from 1 to 18, and
the heating coils 3a are driven according to the electric power
value corresponding to the respective heating power value. It is
configured such that the heating cooking menus include various
cooking menus such as a cooking menu to prevent boiling over, a
cooking menu to circulate water by convection in the object to be
heated such as a pot or a pan, and a user can select from such
cooking menus.
[0038] On the contrary, in the displayed status as illustrated in
FIG. 3(b), when a user selects the temperature cooking switch 16
and depresses the temperature cooking switch 16, the temperature
cooking menu starts and an image for setting a temperature is
displayed on the lower part of the displaying surface as
illustrated in FIG. 3(d). In the cooker according to the first
embodiment, in setting of the temperature of the temperature
cooking menu, it can be set in every 10 degrees Celsius from 80 to
240 degrees Celsius. When the temperature is set, the heating coils
3a are driven by controlling the electric power value so as to keep
the set temperature.
[0039] Next, a method for setting a heating power and a temperature
in the cooker according to the first embodiment is described.
[0040] When a user sets a heating power, the user can select two
methods. One method is to change a heating power setting by making
a contactant such as a finger in contact with an heating capacity
setting effective area (an operating area) 19 located on the lower
part of the displaying surface of the touch panel 4, and then
making the contactant move keeping in contact with a surface of the
heating capacity setting effective area 19. In FIGS. 3(e) and (f),
the area surrounded by the dotted lines is the heating capacity
setting effective area 19.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for setting a heating power according
to the first embodiment of the present invention, and it
illustrates a flow when the heating capacity setting is changed
according to the operation to make the contactant move keeping in
contact with the heating capacity setting effective area 19. In the
following description, a finger is exemplified as the contactant to
be in contact with the touch panel 4.
[0042] When the contactant contacts the touch panel 4, a touch
panel down input signal, which means that the contactant starts to
contact the touch panel 4, is generated in Step S101. In Step S102,
if it is judged that the contacting position on the touch panel 4
when the contactant contacts the touch panel 4 in Step S101 is
located within the heating capacity setting effective area 19, an
operation for setting a heating power can be performed, and then
moving from Step S102 to Step S103.
[0043] On the contrary, if it is judged in Step S102 that the
contacting position on the touch panel 4 when the contactant
contacts the touch panel 4 in Step S101 is located without the
heating capacity setting effective area 19, during the period that
the contactant is kept in contact with the touch panel 4, even if
the contactant moves and enters the heating capacity setting
effective area 19, the operation for setting the heating power
cannot be performed, and then the flow for setting the heating
power is finished.
[0044] FIGS. 5(a) through 5(c) are views illustrating examples of a
movement of a displayed image at setting a heating power according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] At setting a heating power according to the first
embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5(a) through 5(c), it is
configured such that a part of a heating power value scale with a
belt shape in which numbers from 1 to 18 are lined at equal
intervals is displayed as the operating area in the heating
capacity setting effective area 19 located on the lower part of the
displaying surface of the touch panel 4. In the operating area of
the heating capacity setting effective area 19, a constant range is
displayed with positioning the setting value of the heating power
in the center of the operating area. In Step S103, when a user
makes the contactant in contact with the displaying area (19) of
the heating power value scale and moves the contactant from the
first contacting position, the heating power value scale with a
belt shape moves similarly together with movement of the
contactant. Consequently, a displayed image updating process A in
which a displayed part of the heating power value scale in the
displaying area is updated, is performed. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 5(a), when a user makes the contactant in
contact with a position where "7" is displayed, and starts to move
the contactant to the direction as shown by the arrow (direction to
right side in FIGS. 5(a) through (c)), as illustrated in FIGS. 5(b)
to (c), the displayed position of "7" moves sequentially to the
right side corresponding to the movement of the contactant.
Accordingly, while the contactant moves, the image in the
displaying area is also kept updated.
[0046] Next, at the moment when the contactant leaves the touch
panel 4 in Step S104, a touch panel up input signal is generated in
the display operating portion which is the touch panel 4. If the
position at the moment when the contactant leaves the touch panel 4
is not located within the heating capacity setting effective area
19, moving to Step S108, a displayed image updating process C is
performed to return to the image of the displaying area (the
heating power setting value) just before the contactant contacts
the touch panel 4. The more the moving distance is changed at this
moment, the faster the heating power value scale having the
belt-shape slides. The displayed image updating process C, which
returns to the previous image of the displaying area sequentially
at a speed corresponding to the moving distance for changing, is
performed such that the heating power value scale slides as
mentioned above.
[0047] On the contrary, if the position at the moment when the
contactant leaves the touch panel 4 is located within the heating
capacity setting effective area 19, moving to Step S106, a changing
amount determining process to determine a changing amount (a
varying amount) according to the moving speed (the leaving time
moving speed) of the contactant just before the contactant leaves
the touch panel 4.
[0048] When the changing amount (the varying amount) is determined
by the changing amount determining process, an image in the
displaying area is updated consequently by a displayed image
updating process B of Step S107.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for determining a changing
amount at setting a heating power in the cooker according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart for
determining a changing amount at setting a heating power
illustrates a detailed flow of the above-mentioned changing amount
determining process in the step S106 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0050] First of all, when the changing amount determining process
starts, in step S201, if a heating power setting value (a heating
power displayed at the center of the displaying area) just before a
contactant contacts the displaying area is not equal to a heating
power setting value just before a contactant leaves the displaying
area and a heating power setting value is changed from the heating
power setting value just before a contactant contacts the
displaying area to the heating power setting value just before a
contactant leaves the displaying area, the changing amount
determining process is completed. Thus, if the heating power value
displayed in the center of the displaying area has been changed
according to the movement of a contactant (a finger) for a
predetermined distance or more from the first contacting position,
the changing amount determining process is completed because the
heating power value displayed at the center of the displaying area
just before a contactant leaves the displaying area has already
been determined as a heating power setting value.
[0051] On the contrary, if a heating power setting value just
before a contactant contacts the displaying area is equal to the
heating power setting value just before a contactant leaves the
displaying area, thus, if the contactant (the finger) is moved only
for a distance less than the predetermined distance from the first
contacting position (which includes the case that the contactant is
moved somewhere once, then moved back to the first contacting
position), a moving speed (a leaving time moving speed) in the
moving direction (a leaving time moving direction) just before the
contactant (the finger) leaves the touch panel 4 is calculated in
Step S202. If the calculated moving speed is a predetermined value
or more in the direction in which a heating power is raised (the
left direction in (e) of FIG. 3) (a flick operation), a heating
power to be set is raised by one step in Step S207. At this moment,
even if the leaving time moving speed is very high in the direction
in which the heating power is raised, it is configured such that
the heating power to be set is raised only by one step as an upper
limit. As a heating power setting value, the heating power to be
set is not raised beyond the maximum setting value ("18" is set as
the maximum heating power value in the first embodiment).
[0052] If the calculated moving speed is a predetermined value or
more in the direction in which a heating power is lowered (the
right direction in (e) of FIG. 3), a heating power to be set is
lowered by a changing amount to be approximately in proportion to
the moving speed in Step S205. In this case, if the leaving time
moving speed is higher, a changing amount (a varying amount)
becomes larger. As a heating power setting value, however, the
heating power to be set is not lowered beyond the minimum setting
value ("1" is set as the minimum heating power value in the first
embodiment).
[0053] As mentioned above, in Step S201 when the changing amount
determining process starts, if there is performed a sliding
operation in which a setting value is changed from the setting
value just before a contactant contacts the displaying area to the
setting value just before a contactant leaves the displaying area
by moving a contactant (a finger) for the predetermined distance or
more from the first contacting position, the changing amount
determining process is completed only with performing this sliding
operation. Thus, in Step S201, if a moving distance of a contactant
(for example, a finger) in the sliding operation is the
predetermined distance or more in the operating area as the heating
capacity setting effective area 19, the setting value just before
the contactant leaves the operating area is determined as a heating
power setting value.
[0054] As mentioned above, in the cooker according to the first
embodiment, while a contactant moves keeping in contact with the
operating area of the touch panel 4, it is determined if a heating
capacity will be changed or not according to a contacting position
and a moving direction, and a changing amount of a heating capacity
is determined according to a moving distance of the contactant.
Then, if a heating capacity just before the contactant contacts the
displaying area of the touch panel 4 is not equal to a heating
capacity just before the contactant leaves the operating area, and
a different value is set as a heating capacity, that is, a heating
capacity has been changed from the heating capacity just before the
contactant contacts the displaying area of the touch panel 4 to the
heating capacity just before the contactant leaves the displaying
area (the setting process of a heating power value is performed by
the sliding operation), the control portion 5 is configured to
determine such that a changing amount of a heating capacity becomes
0 even if the flicking operation is performed just after the
contactant leaves the displaying area.
[0055] In Step S207, while it is explained with the example where a
heating power is raised only by one step as an upper limit of a
heating power setting value, any plurality of steps can be set as
an upper limit value, and it can be set such that a heating power
can be raised only by steps composed of the set plurality of the
upper limit values. In this case, if a moving speed (a leaving time
moving speed) just before a contactant leaves the touch panel 4 is
less than a moving speed in which the an upper limit of the
changing amount is set, a heating power setting value can be
determined corresponding to a changing amount according to the
moving speed and a heating power can be raised. On the contrary, if
a moving speed (a leaving time moving speed) just before a
contactant leaves the touch panel 4 is the moving speed in which
the upper limit of the changing amount is set or more, a changing
amount is limited to the value set as the maximum value (the upper
limit value). According to such setting, in the direction in which
the heating power is raised, a changing amount after a contactant
such as a finger leaves by a flicking operation of a user can be
admitted to the extent not to impart uneasiness to a user. As the
result, the cooker according to the first embodiment can have a
safe and reliable configuration such that it does not impart
uneasiness to a user even if the user operates to raise a heating
power to a large extent by mistake as well as a quick operation can
be performed by the flicking operation.
[0056] As mentioned above, in the changing amount determining
process of Step S106, the upper limit value is applied to the
changing amount in the direction in which a heating capacity is
raised, and the control portion 5 provides an area where a changing
amount in the direction in which the heating capacity is raised is
lower than a changing amount in the direction in which the heating
capacity is lowered, such as the area where a changing amount is
changed only by one step or two steps.
[0057] As the changing amount determining process of Step S106, in
case that a changing amount is determined after a contactant leaves
for the direction in which a heating power is raised, in addition
to the method to set the maximum value as mentioned above, the
following method is described as another embodiment.
[0058] When a raised ratio relative to a constant changing amount
(a varying amount) at a moving speed just before a contactant
leaves an operating area (a leaving time moving speed) in the
direction in which a heating power is raised is larger than a
lowered ratio relative to a constant changing amount (a varying
amount) at a moving speed just before a contactant leaves an
operating area (a leaving time moving speed) in the direction in
which a heating power is lowered by an approximately constant
ratio, a changing amount to be determined in the moving direction
in which a heating power is raised can be equal to a changing
amount to be determined in the moving direction in which a heating
power is lowered. Thus, when a heating power setting value so far
is set as a center value and a new setting value is set by adding
or deducting a same changing amount (a varying amount) of a heating
power relative to the center value, a moving speed just before a
contactant leaves the operating area (a leaving time moving speed)
in the moving direction in which a heating power is raised needs to
be faster than a moving seed just before a contactant leaves the
operating area (a leaving time moving speed) in the moving
direction in which a heating power is lowered by approximately
constant times. In other words, in a leaving time moving speed in
the moving direction in which a heating power is raised and a
leaving time moving speed in the moving direction in which a
heating power is lowered, even if the moving speed just before a
contactant leaves in respective direction is the same, a changing
amount of a heating capacity to be determined in the moving
direction in which a heating power is raised is lower than a
changing amount of a heating capacity to be determined in the
moving direction in which a heating power is lowered by the
approximately constant times.
[0059] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned method of changing amount
determining process is described using specific figures. For
example, in the case that a changing amount (a varying amount) is
set "-5" when a moving speed of a contactant in the direction in
which a heating power is lowered is "5", "10" is set as a moving
speed required for making a changing amount (a varying amount) in
the direction in which a heating power is raised "+5" which is the
same number as an absolute figure. In the case to set in this
manner, a moving speed in the moving direction in which a heating
power is raised needs to be twice faster than a moving speed in the
moving direction in which a heating power is lowered.
[0060] As mentioned above, in the method of the changing amount
determining process, if a raised ratio of a leaving time moving
speed in the direction in which a heating power is raised is larger
than a lowered ratio of a leaving time moving speed in the
direction in which a heating power is lowered by the approximately
constant ratio, the control portion 5 controls such that a changing
amount to be determined in the moving direction in which a heating
power is raised becomes equal to a changing amount to be determined
in the moving direction in which a heating power is lowered.
[0061] By using the above-mentioned method for the changing amount
determining process, it works such that a changing amount is not
likely to be changed according to an operation feeling in the
direction in which a heating power is raised in comparison with an
operation feeling in the direction in which a heating power is
lowered. Accordingly, it is configured such that even if a user
feels that an operation to raise a heating power to a large extent
has been performed by mistake, an actual changing amount to raise a
heating power becomes smaller by the constant ratio, and thereby
avoids imparting uneasiness to the user. Further, in the case that
a user intentionally lowers a heating power to a large extent, it
can be achieved by increasing a moving speed of a contactant, and
it can be addressed by a configuration not prohibiting a quick
operation using a flick operation.
[0062] In the first embodiment, in the setting method to make a
moving speed just before a contactant leaves (a leaving time moving
speed) in the moving direction in which a heating power is raised
larger than a moving speed just before a contactant leaves (a
leaving time moving speed) in the moving direction in which a
heating power is lowered by an approximately constant times in
order to equalize changing amounts (varying amounts) in the moving
direction in which a heating power is raised and in the moving
direction in which a heating power is lowered, a setting process
can be applied from a point that a moving speed is 0, or the
setting process can be applied from a predetermined value in which
an absolute figure of a moving speed is more than 0. For example,
in a moving speed in which a changing amount is within one step,
even in a case of the moving direction in which a heating power is
raised, if a moving speed is the same as a moving speed in the
moving direction in which a heating power is lowered, the same
changing amount (the same varying amount) is determined. In a
moving speed in which a changing amount (a varying amount) exceeds
one step, a different changing amount can be set by an
approximately constant ratio for a portion of the moving speed
adding to the moving speed corresponding to one step of the
changing amount. By setting in this manner, in either of the
directions in which a heating power is raised and in which a
heating temperature is lowered, a user can operate with a similar
feeling up to the state that a changing amount becomes one step. In
a moving speed in which a changing amount exceeds one step, it can
be set such that an operation to raise a heating power is not
likely to be change in comparison with an operation to lower a
heating power. At this moment, as a changing amount to change an
operation feeling, it is not limited to one step. Even in the case
of two steps or more, the same effect can be obtained.
[0063] As mentioned above, the method to change an operational
feeling from the feeling of the specific changing amount is
described below using specific figures.
[0064] For example, according to a moving speed corresponding to a
change in the range of the specific value that a changing amount (a
varying amount) of a setting value changes from -1 (one step in the
direction in which a heating power is lowered) to +1 (one step in
the direction in which a heating power is raised), no difference is
made between the direction a heating power is raised and the
direction in which a heating power is lowered.
[0065] On the contrary, according to a moving speed corresponding
to a change in which an absolute figure of a setting value of a
changing amount (a varying amount) exceeds 1, difference is made
between the direction a heating power is raised and the direction
in which a heating power is lowered. An example is described below
using specific figures in such a case that difference in the moving
speed is made between the direction a heating power is raised and
the direction in which a heating power is lowered.
[0066] For example, in the moving direction to lower a heating
power, a changing amount when a moving speed is "-2" is set "-1", a
changing amount when a moving speed is "-4" (a portion exceeding
the moving speed "-2" is "-2") is set "-2", and a changing amount
when a moving speed is "-6" (a portion exceeding the moving speed
"-2" is "-4") is set "-3". Accordingly, in the direction to lower a
heating power, a moving speed and a changing amount (a varying
amount) have a simply proportional relationship, if the moving
speed becomes twice, the changing amount becomes also twice.
[0067] In the direction to raise a heating power, a changing amount
when a moving speed is "+2" is set "+1", a changing amount when a
moving speed is "+6" (a portion exceeding the moving speed "+2" is
"+4") is set "+2", and a changing amount when a moving speed is
"+10" (a portion exceeding the moving speed "+2" is "+8") is set
"+3". In this case, relating to a relationship between a moving
speed and a changing amount (a varying amount) in the direction to
raise a heating power, in comparison with the case that a moving
speed is "+2", a changing amount becomes twice when a moving speed
becomes three times, and a changing amount becomes three times when
a moving speed becomes five times. As described in the
above-mentioned example, when a raised ratio of a leaving time
moving speed relative to a constant changing amount in the
direction in which a heating power is raised is higher than a
lowered ratio of a leaving time moving speed relative to a constant
changing amount in the direction in which a heating power is
lowered by an approximately constant ratio, it is set such that a
changing amount to be determined in the moving direction in which a
heating power is raised and a changing amount to be determined in
the moving direction in which a heating power is lowered are
equalized.
[0068] In the above-mentioned specific example, a specific amount
to change an operational feeling is within a range between -1 to
+1. In the case of the setting that exceeds this range of the
specific figure, a moving speed in the direction to raise a heating
power needs to be higher than the direction to lower a heating
power.
[0069] In the cooker according to the first embodiment, as another
method that a user changes a heating power setting, there is a
method to perform a heating power setting by depressing a heating
power raising area 20 or a heating power lowering area 21 as
illustrated in the dotted line in FIGS. 3(g) and 3(h). In this
method, when a finger as a contactant or another contactant
contacts the heating power raising area 20 or the heating power
lowering area 21, each heating power setting value is raised or
lowered by one step. Further, when water is boiled over an object
to be heated such as a pot or a pan, or scorching occurs in an
object to be heated, a user demands to lower the heating power at
once. In order to correspond to this demand of the user, without
making a finger or another contactant contact the heating power
lowering area 21 again and again, it can be set such that a heating
power setting value is lowered by a plurality of steps at once when
it takes a certain period of the time under the condition that a
finger or another contactant keeps in contact with the heating
power lowering area 21, or a function to lower a heating power to a
minimum setting value at once is provided. In the case that a
contactant contacts the heating power raising area 20, even if it
takes a certain period of the time under the condition in contact
with the heating power raising area 20, a heating power cannot be
raised to the next step of the heating power setting value unless
the contactant leaves the touch panel 4 once and then contacts the
touch panel 4 again after a heating power setting value is raised
by one step primarily. Accordingly, when the contactant contacts
the heating power raising area 20, a heating power is not raised
even if it takes a certain period of the time under the condition
in contact with the heating power raising area 20.
[0070] In the cooker according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, even if a user contacts the position inputting
device 4a of the touch panel 4 unexpectedly, there is no risk to
cause the situation that a heating capacity is raised at once
against the intention of the user. On the contrary, when a user
would like to lower a heating capacity urgently, it is configured
such that a heating power can be lowered by a plurality of steps at
once according to the user's operation. Accordingly, the cooker
according to the first embodiment of the present invention does not
impart uneasiness to a user and can provide a user with a feeling
of security, and further becomes a convenient cooking device in
which an operability and a safety are enhanced.
[0071] Since a user can select an operational method according to
the user's preference from the methods such as sliding operation to
trace along a surface of the touch panel, a flicking operation to
flick a surface of the touch panel, and an operation to depress a
button on the touch panel, a handleability for the user is enhanced
even if the user has no experience to use the touch panel.
[0072] While the above-mentioned embodiment is described with using
examples of a movement of a displayed image at setting a heating
power, it can also be applied to the movement of a displayed image
at setting a temperature, and it will have a similar effect (refer
to Figs. (f) and (h)). In this case, for example, it can be set
such that one step of a heating power value corresponds to 10
degrees Celsius for a setting temperature.
[0073] The cooking heater according to the present invention is
provided to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional
arts. When an operation (a flicking operation) that the contactant
flicks the surface of the touch panel as a display operating
portion is detected, a changing amount of the heating capacity is
determined according to a moving speed of the contactant. In this
case, the cooking heater according to the present invention is
configured such that if the detected flicking operation is the
operation to raise the heating capacity, the changing amount (the
varying amount) is limited in comparison with the operation to
lower the heating capacity. According to such configuration, in the
cooker according to the present invention, even if there is
detected the operation to flick in the direction to raise the
heating capacity against the intention of a user, there is no risk
to cause the situation that the heating capacity is raised at once
unexpectedly to the user.
[0074] While the present invention has been described according to
the embodiments with a certain degrees of details, contents of
disclosure of the embodiments shall be varied in details of the
configuration, and the combination of elements and the change of
order in the embodiment can be realized without deviating from the
scope of the claims and concepts of the present invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0075] Since the cooker according to the present invention can
avoid a risk that a user contacts an operating portion such as a
touch panel unexpectedly, and thereby raising the heating capacity
against the intention of a user. Therefore, it can be applicable to
devices which utilize a variety of touch panels which change an
output in real time by operating the touch panel or the like.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0076] 1 Top plate [0077] 2 Object to be heated [0078] 3 Heating
portion [0079] 3a Induction heating coil [0080] 3b Driving circuit
[0081] 4 Touch panel (Display operating portion) [0082] 4a Position
inputting device [0083] 4b Display device [0084] 5 Control
portion
* * * * *